Jessica was hit on face, then shot

The Delhi Police has decided to probe as to whether Manu Sharma or any of his accomplices had hit Jessica Lall on her face prior to shooting her.

Indication to this effect was given by the Delhi Police Commissioner, KK Paul when he was apprised of the fact that autopsy report has a clear mention of two injuries on the face, apart from the bullet injuries.

The fact came to notice during investigations carried out by HindustanTimes.Com and subsequent opinion was sought from renowned forensic expert KL Sharma, ex chief of the forensic department of the Police hospital.

According to KL Sharma, the two injuries sited on the autopsy report were as a result of blunt force. According to Dr Sharma, the first injury - a contusion on the root of the nose measuring about 2 cm by 3 cm and the second injury - a cut measuring 1 cm by .1 cm on the upper lip, could not have been caused by a fall.

Since none of the prosecution witnesses have stated before the court or even before the police that either Manu or any of his accomplices hit Jessica on her face prior to shooting her, the possibility of her being killed at some other place gains weight.

Manu Sharma allegedly shot Jessica at the Tamarind court bar, a joint serving liquor to the rich and the mighty on April 30, 1999. She was rushed to Aashlok hospital warped in a bed sheet by the bar owner Bina Ramani. She was referred to Apollo hospital, where she was declared brought dead.

Her body was sent for an autopsy to the All India Institute for Medical Sciences warped in the same bed sheet, but the body was totally nude. Even when all the accused have been acquitted by the court, the mystery of Jessica Lal's missing clothes remains unresolved.